The eVTOL Insights Podcast

In this episode, Ken starts of by defining Pivotal's mission in the mission of the broader context of urban air mobility and personal aviation. He also explains the differences between Pivotal and other players in the eVTOL space, which includes Helix - its groundbreaking personal aircraft. We talk about balancing simplicity and safety and Pivotal's approach to battery technology, autonomy and redudancy systems. With all the flight testing, Ken shares the lessons learnt in working with regulators and where he sees policy going for ultralight and personal eVTOL aircraft. Ken also goes into details about training and onboarding for new Helix owners. and what the company's commercialisation timeline looks like for scaling production or expanding internationally.

In this episode, Louis goes into great detail about China's Low-Altitude Economy and provides a fascinating insight into how the country is preparing for Advanced Air Mobility. With more than 20 different OEMs currently building aircraft, Louis talks about the cities and regions where operations might begin in the coming years, but also what challenges the regulators have when working to integrate the aircraft into existing airspace. Louis also gives an honest perspective on how China is progressing at a rapid pace and why the country can be attractive to companies wanted to enter the Advanced Air Mobility market.

In this episode, Sue and Kurt give us a broad overview of the NASA's ATM-x Project and how it fits into the Advanced Air Mobility market. We talk about the main challenges NASA sees when integrating eVTOL aircraft into existing airspace and how ATM-x approaches the concept of scalable, automated air traffic management for urban air mobilty. We also ask Kurt and Sue's thoughts on vertiports with current airport infrastructure and what types of simulations are under way within the ATM-x program. Kurt describes a typical scenario or test use case for low-altitude air traffic and Sue answers how NASA is collaborating with the FAA, OEMs and industry partners.

In this episode, Megha shares more exciting updates about Eve's company roadmap and its eVTOL aircraft, as well as going into detail about the holistic approach it is taking when helping to build the future AAM ecosystem. We discuss what is in store for the rest of 2025, the exciting partnerships it has made across the world - including India, South Korea and Brazil - and Eve's relationship with Brazil's ANAC which focuses on the importance of close collaboration between regulators and certification bodies. As well as the aircraft, Megha talks about how Eve is approaching vertiport infrastructure and integration with existing urban environments, then the work towards building public trust in Advanced Air Mobility.

In this episode, Euan walks us through the design perspective when bringing eVTOL aircraft concepts to life, especially how designing for the sky differs from designing for the road. Euan talks about balancing form and function in electric or hybrid aircraft, and shares more details about the work Frank Stephenson Design is doing with Chinese eVTOL OEM AutoFlight. We talk about how emotion might play a role in the design of AAM aircraft and what the biggest human factor challenges might be when designing interiors and cabins, incluing how we envision accessibility and inclusivity. Euan also talks about how design can help normalise and build trust in these new aircraft and we ask him if he could design the ideal AAM experience, what they would like.

In this episode, Marc shares Electra's core mission and how its electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft fits into it. He walks us through its key features and explains the role hybrid-electric propulsion can play in balancing performance, range and sustainability. Marc also talks about what type of spaces could become new 'airports' and how Electra can help serve underserved and rural areas which lack access to traditional aviation. We also go into detail about certifcation and commercialisation, the biggest hurdles and how regional air mobility will evolve over the next decade. as well as the next steps in Electra's roadmap over the 12 - 18 months.

In this episode, Emily and Sergio share more details about Texas DOT and the role it is playing in the emerging Advanced Air Mobility market. The pair talk about the opportunities and challenges within the US state, what projects the team are working on to help bring the vision to life and how they think the next 2-3 years will pan out when integrating AAM in major cities. We also talk about public adoption, and how stakeholders can help educate future passengers on the benefits of traveling using new technologies.

In this episode, Carl introduces us to Jump Aero and his background in Advanced Air Mobility, before sharing the reasons why he set up the company. He goes into detail about the latest white paper and Jump Aero's solution, and then talks about the JA1 Pulse aircraft, which he describes as the 'fastest eVTOL for emergency response'. We also talk about emergency response as a critical business case and what Jump Aero's roadmap is looking like over the next 2 - 3 years.

In this episode, Stephen introduces us to Windracers and the background behind the UK-based manufacturer of autonomous cargo drones. Founded in 2017, Windracers' self-flying aircraft were originally conceived to bring down the cost of delivering humanitarian aid to remote communities. Stephen talks to us about its latest model, the ULTRA Mk2 and how it can have the greatest impact across a variety of different sectors. Windracers has already completed some fascinating projects at locations across the world, including Antarctica, so we talk more about the learnings from and what else they have in store for 2025.

In this episode, Richard talks about his role at NATS, the UK's provider or air traffic control services, and how it links to Advanced Air Mobility. The company has recently released a white paper entitled 'Advancing Aviation through Integration of Drones in the UK's Low-Level Airspace', so Richard shares more information on why it was created and the key takeaways. The white paper also details the successful completion of Project CAELUS, part of UKRI's Future Flight Challenge, so we talk about this and the impact the learnings can have on this emerging industry. Aside from Advanced Air Mobility, we also find out how NATS envision a thriving low-level airspace economy for industries like healthcare and logistics.

In this episode, Clint shares his current insights into the industry and dives into the infrastructure topic - given his work in this area of the ecosystem. He talks about some of the exciting projects he has worked on in key cities such as Los Angeles, and shares his thoughts about how they can play a key role in the early adoption of Advanced Air Mobility. We also talk about one of Clint's passion projects, which is integrating AAM into wider communities. He shares his experiences of visiting Maori communities in New Zealand and also Native American leaders in Oklahoma, and their input can help to bring the industry to everyone.

In this episode, Richard and Marc introduces Evolito's journey since its inception back in 2021 and talk about how it has quickly become a leader when it comes to transforming air travel. We talk about its roadmap over the next five years as well as its current projects, which includes an exciting partnership with Flying Whales. Richard shares more details about certification and we also talk about current industry trends and how they are shaping the market as we move further into 2025.

In this episode, Richard talks about his background and how he joined the team at Electro.aero. He provides an update on the company's roadmap and goes into detail about AE-7D and how 2025 will be an important year for the committee and standardisation efforts. Richard also goes into details about the challenges with aviation charging, and expands on why so many engineers are supportive of the requirements for charging solutions. We hear why electric aircraft charging is so different from car and heavy vehicles, and understand what 'standardisation' means for the industry. We also talk about ground infrastructure trends and what Richard thinks will dominate in the future.

In this episode, Michelle talks to us about all the work she has been doing in Arizona when it comes to Advanced Air Mobility. The US state is making great strides in this market, so we talk about companies such as Honeywell, which is leading the way and helped organise a successful event at the end of 2024. Michelle also shares more details about why the event was set up and the encouraging support it received from different parties keen to be involved. She also tells us about the various projects which are ongoing in Arizona, which will help propel the state as one of the early leaders in early stage operations.

In this episode, Erin provides an update on the work being done at Northern Plains since the last time we spoke with the team. She goes into detail about the statewide system in North Dakota and its continued impact, plus other exciting updates which include Project ULTRA and military cargo test UAS flights between Grand Forks Air Force Base and Cavalier Space Force Station. Erin also talks about the recent Counter-UAS program testing facilitated by the test site, and as we look ahead to 2025, what are the key goals the team at NPUASTS want to achieve over the coming 12 months.

In this episode, we talk to Veronica about Ireland's huge potential for Advanced Air Mobility and the work she is doing with the various organisations. Dublin was one of the world's first cities to adopt a drone strategy, so Veronica goes into more detail about the background behind the initiative and what the roadmap looks like for the coming years. We also talk about why Ireland is best placed to be a real leader in this industry, and Veronica also tells us what the rest of the year has in store with her work.

In this episode, Gwen gives us a compelling intro into the GoAERO Prize and how it can help transform society for the better by 'inspiring the formation of emergency response flyers'. She gives us an update on Stage 1 of the competition and provides an exciting roadmap on what the next months and years has in store in terms of next steps. We talk about why students should enter, the benefits of being part of the competition and the legacy GoAERO Prize can have on the growing Advanced Air Mobility market

In this episode. Amit introduces us to Hunch Mobility's work in India, where the country is regarded as a promising hub for Advanced Air Mobility - especially with several of its cities being among the most congested in the world. We talk challenges and opportunities, but also what Hunch is doing to help make India a leader in this space. As part of the company's efforts, it is organising the Urban Air Mobility Expo which is in Delhi later this month (January 2025). He talks more about who is involved and what impact the event hopes to have as key stakeholders work together to assemble the final pieces of the Advanced Air Mobility jigsaw.

In this episode, Tomislav and Anton introduces flyvbird, described as the world's first on-demand air mobility provider. The pair share their past experiences and the reasons why they set up the company, as well as going into more detail about what issues they are trying to solve when it comes to air mobility and the potential travel use cases. We talk about the company's demo app and the demand from users, as well as the key partnerships it has already signed which includes airports, industry and aircraft manufacturers.

In this episode, Basil talks about his first memories in aviation when he was growing up in North Carolina, then leads into the work he did at the states's Department of Transportation before joining the team at AeroX. We talk about the key projects North Carolina has worked on so far, the impact they can have on the wider industry and then discuss AeroX's exciting projects which aim to revolutionise how the state approaches unmanned aviation to assist sectors such as logistics and healthcare. NC was also a lead state in the FAA's UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) and a lead participant in the BEYOND follow-on initiative, so Basil provides a comprehensive overview of its current progress.

In this episode, Freshta introduces us to LYTE Aviation and how it aims to transform intercity, intracity and regional air travel with its 40-seater SkyBus and cargo version, SkyTruck. We talk about the reasons why the company chose this seat configuration and the key partnerships it has signed to bring its vision to life. LYTE Aviation plans to operate in multiple regions, so Freshta shares more details about where that might be and also gives an exciting update on SkyBus' roadmap in 2025.

In this episode, Sec. Nash talks to us about this career to-date and his current role within the US state of Oklahoma. It has a legacy of aerospace innovation and success dating back more than a century, so Sec. Nash goes into more detail about this and talks about why aerospace and defence are Oklahoma's second largest industries. He shares insights into the work that goes on in Oklahoma, where it is home to more than 1,000 aerospace entities, including manufaturing, MRO, UAS, R&D and military. We hear more about the advantages of setting up business here, project highlights and what the state is doing to encourage the next generation of workers wanting to forge a career in aerospace.

In this episode, Dave introduces us to the Amphenol brand, which has a presence at the majority of airshows across the world. He tells us about its work in the Advanced Air Mobility market and how it can impact early stage operations. Amphenol Aerospace manufactures a variety of high power and high voltage connectors featuring different shell styles and mating styles that can help meet the stringent demands of your high power and high voltage eVTOL applications. Dave talks about the energy requirements needed, and gives us an assessment of the challenges and opportunities. He shares current projects which Amphenol is working on and also talks about other sectors where the company has a key interest in.

In this episode, Piers shares his experiences as an engineer for more than three decades by giving an assessment of the current aviation market and the changes he has seen in his career so far. He then introduces us to his company and work it does in the Advanced Air Mobility market, before going into detail about electric actuators and their role in eVTOL aircraft. One of the company's customers is UK firm Vertical Aerospace, so Piers talks to us about the work they have been carrying out for the OEM. And finally, he shares more details about the other work Olsen Actuators and Drives does in other sectors, and how it all relates back to the Advanced Air Mobility and electric mobility.

In this episode, Phil introduces us to the organisation and the company's work in Canada when it comes to Advanced Air Mobility. It is based in Montreal, one of the biggest aerospace hubs in the world, so Phil talks more about Cert Center Canada's role for companies starting on their certification journey. We discuss the challenges and opportunities for the next two to three years, as well as any particular projects Cert Center Canada is working on at the moment.

In this episode, Mehmet introduces us to Keyvan Aviation, which is based in Istanbul, Turkey. The company is among only four EASA-approved global companies to process and deliver accurate aeronautical and navigation database useable for aircraft avionics and navigation systems. Mehmet tells us more about this achievement, as well as the work Keyvan Aviation is doing when it comes to Aeronautical Navigation Database solutions which contribute to the safe, efficient, compliant functioning of UAV and drone eVTOL services. We talk about the effects and future of aviation data on Drone eVTOL and air traffic, as well as the UAV and eVTOL drone market in Turkey and Where the challenges and opportunities lie.

In this episode, Behlul talks to us about his early career at FreeFlight Systems and then deep dives into the company's current work in the global Advanced Air Mobility market. As it focuses on advanced avionics technology, Behlul shares more details about the products in particular they are working on - which will be crucial to safe operations in cities and regions. One product in particular is ADS-B solutions for situational awareness safety. Behlul explains its advantages for pilots and the aircraft they are flying, before telling us what FreeFlight Systems has in store for the rest of the year and into 2025. We then get an update on the other industries FreeFlight works in.

In this episode, Devon talks to us about his early career before joining Whisper and then dives into more detail about the company's work and its mission to deliver cleaner, quieter and more efficient electric thrust at scale. Whisper came out of stealth mode in 2023 and showcased its Whisper Jet at AIAA Aviation Conference, so Devon goes into more detail about the aircraft and how it can fit in the market when it is operational. We also talk about the other products it is building and their multiple use cases across various sectors such as military, defense and commercial. We also focus on the positive relationship Whisper has with the state of Tennessee and review the company's first supplier summit, which took place last month.

In this episode, Zara introduces us to Moya Aero and its exciting plans for the market. The company recently unveiled its hybrid eVTOL aircraft, so Zara tells us more about its specifications and its product roadmap, including updates on its flight test programme. Moya Aero is currently working on a facility for the production of its Moya 760 product, so Zara shares more detail about this as well as a new fundraising campaign. And with the company being based in Brazil, Zara gives us an update on the market's potential in the country - especially with multiple use cases such as cargo and medical services being two potential opportunities.

In this episode, Kraettli tells us more about Vigilant Aerospace and the work it does, before going into more detail about the creation of droneports; who is behind them and why they make sense first, before widespread UAS operations across urban and rural areas. Kraettli talks about the technical, regulatory and operational considerations, before sharing more about Vigilant's recent projects with the Skyway36 droneport in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the US Air Force Research Laboratory. And finally, he gives us a broad overview of the current state of uncrewed aircraft technology.

In this episode, Pierre tells us about his company and the work it does, but also how it can relate to Advanced Air Mobility. One of its customers is Airbus, so he also shares more details about the work it is doing, which included applying its AI technology to reduce the average time it takes to predict the pressure field on the external body of its airplanes. Pierre also tells us how this can also be applied to AAM aircraft. A significant challenge for all players in the airline industry is the poor prediction capability of turbulence dependent features, so Pierre tells us how Neural Concept is trying to solve this issue. We also hear about Neural Concept's recent Series B funding and the significance of this investment for the company's future roadmap.

In this episode, Pierre tells us more about his company and the work it does, as well as how it can relate to Advanced Air Mobility. One of its customers is Airbus, so Pierre tells us more about this partnership, as well as how Neural Concept is resolving the challenge of poor prediction capability of turbulence dependent features. He also talks about one of its projects with Airbus, which included applying its AI technology to reduce the average time it takes to predict the pressure field on the external body of its airplanes. Pierre also talks about its recent Series B funding and how the significance of the investment for the company's roadmap.

In this episode, we delve deep into the future of Advanced Air Mobility in New Zealand with Charlie. He discusses his involvement in various workshops orchestrated by Vertilink across New Zealand, Vertilink's core values of safety, social responsibility and sustainable innovation, and passionately speaks about the promise AAM holds for New Zealand, particularly for enhancing accessibility in remote areas. The conversation also touches on the opportunities presented by urban air mobility in cities like Auckland, with another crucial aspect of the discussion revolving around the role of the Māori community in New Zealand. Charlie highlights the community's deep-rooted values related to environmental stewardship and land guardianship.

In this episode, we focus on the topic of Drone as First Responders (DFR) and the impact it has already had on emergency services. As David led one of the first operations in the USA, he talks to us about the background behind its creation and how it has helped other authorities. We also talk about its advantages of using the technology instead of human officers, what the next three to five years could have in store for its development and increased uses across the country.

This episode is a live recording of a panel discussion eVTOL Insights was invited to moderate at this year's Farnborough Airshow. Held at the AtkinsRealis chalet, Executive Editor Jason Pritchard led a session entitled 'The Human Element of Advanced Air Mobility', with industry experts JC Asencio of Wisk, James Richmond of Atkins Realis and Addison Ferrell of Skyports Infrastructure.

In this episode, we sit back down with Joe to discuss his latest business venture, Vertiport Simulations. The Microsoft flight simulation-based vertiport design company is looking to utilise the high-level technology to offer clients a walkthrough of their concept in a VR environment. We talk about its current progress, the benefits and advantages of this method and what its roadmap looks like for the next 12 to 18 months. As the Middle East is one of the key regions Vertiport Simulations is targeting, we ask Joe why he thinks the area is fast becoming a hotspot for AAM activity.

In this episode, James and Steve discuss the company's recent focus group research, which explores the key challenges and opportunities for people with disabilities in Advanced Air Mobility. The pair tell us the background behind this report, its main aims and objectives and nine 'key findings'. They also share interesting takeaways, how much of an impact this report can have on the emerging market and what the next steps will be.

In this episode, Kai-Tse talks to us about the reasons behind co-launching Bellwether and which particular gap in the market it was trying to capture. He shares more details about Bellwether's volar solution, which is designed for anyone to fly from anywhere to any point at any time, and its aircraft. Oryx is Bellwether's third generation volar and was unveiled at last year's Dubai Airshow. Kai-Tse tells us how are developments coming along, as well as key takeaways from its flight test programme. And finally, he gives us a glimpse of how Bellwether's aircraft will fit integrate within city networks.

In this episode, Ernest tells us more about the work of North Central Texas Council of Government when it comes to Advanced Air Mobility. He outlines the potential for AAM in the state, along with challenges and opportunities, and we can ask Ernest what help he needs from eVTOL OEMs or key industry players. As Texas is a hotbed of technologies, we also discuss future use cases - with Dallas being one of the host cities during the FIFA World Cup in 2026 - and drone delivery companies which are starting to set up operations in the state. And finally, Ernest informs us about the current industry projects he is working on.

In this episode, Carlo introduces us to UrbanV and starts off telling us more about the potential for AAM in Italy. The company is working on several interesting projects, so Carlo updates us on the key areas it is working in, which includes the UV-0 Test Vertiport in partnership with Aeroporti di Roma. Outside of Italy, we also talk about work in the Cote d'Azur and Spain, as UrbanV plans to integrate vertiport networks across Europe and other key regions. And finally, Carlo talks to us about how the company is ensuring safe operations from different perspectives, such as birdstrikes and varying weather conditions.

In this episode, Danny introduces us to Blueshift and what exactly the company does. He goes into detail about its product line of which material solutions are most used in the Advanced Air Mobility market. We asked Danny if there was a particular gap in the market that Blueshift had identified, and as the company plays in several other industries, we talk about some of the other projects the team are working on. Danny then shares his thoughts about the main challenges in aviation and defense and why Blueshift's technology is so important.

In this episode, we were delighted to welcome back Sergio and get an update on what his company is doing since we last spoke. As well as the popular Reality Index for OEMs entering service, we talk about a similar Infrastructure and the background behind its creation. Sergio tells us what his key findings are when it comes to infrastructure, and then touches upon a partnership exploring the potential for AAM in Saudi Arabia. We then discuss more of the 'mundane' issues which perhaps aren't being discussed, such as insurance and operational efficiency, and then what do we need to ask city authorities when we look to integrate small-scale commercial operations.

In this episode, Pat introduces us to Tinley Park and shares more detail on how the area might benefit from Advanced Air Mobility. He tells us about his role and Tinley Park's involvement in Eve Air Mobility demo in Chicago back in 2022, and gives his thoughts on whether the Windy City could become a future city for Advanced Air Mobility operations, especially with potential operations from O'Hare International Airport. We also hear Pat's thoughts 'from the outside' of the industry, when it comes to infrastructure and community support. Pat also discusses the ongoing project to renovate Tinley Park's helistop and converting to a heliport with fuel and infrastructure for future electric charging.

In this episode, Guillaume shares an update on Wisk's company roadmap and ongoing work to develop its Gen 6 aircraft, including when we can see more flight testing. He talks about the recent Iron Bird video, as well as diving into why Wisk is going down the autonomy route. Sticking with autonomy, we talk about the passenger experience on board Wisk's aircraft before discussing the company's partnership with Sugar Land in Texas and ongoing presence in Montreal, including why it chose the city and what makes it such a good place to set up an aerospace company.

In this episode, Ben and Lee introduce us to Drive System Design (DSD) and what the company is working on in the Advanced Air Mobility market. As DSD is helping to fast-track the development of electric aircraft, we learn more about this, as well as one of the company's products the AePOP project or Aerospace Electrified Powertrain Optimisation Process. While there are many challenges to solve in this market, we ask Ben and Lee what their top three would be and how DSD is best suited to resolve them.

In this episode, Dave tells us more about the company's growing role in Advanced Air Mobility and the exhaustive list of partners it is working with to build the next generation of aircraft. Dave also shares more details on Project OperA, which was launched to help bring autonomous flight to Europe, and what is believed to be the industry's first certification reference guide across key vehicle segments. We also talk about Honeywell's AAM business unit has so far, which has secured contracts worth an incredible $10 billion, and what this says about the industry and its progress so far.

In this episode, Amit deep dives into some of the various public and private eVTOL trials the companies have been involved in. He tells us what findings it took from them and goes on to talk about how ANRA can play a key role in the Advanced Air Mobility market. As Global civil aviation authorities are taking a lot of different approaches when it comes to commercial eVTOL operations, Amit tells us about the software systems and technologies needed to ensure they are safe, compliant, and integrated with existing ATM services. Amit then shares some key partnerships and updates from ANRA partnered with NAVOS Air to develop vertiports for UAM and assesses the landscape of the current industry and the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead.

In this episode, Don introduces us to Unico and its role within the global Advanced Air Mobility and goes into detail about the company's work behind the scenes. This includes collaborating with some of the biggest names in electric aviation to simulate the rotation of the propeller drive unit from vertical in take-off mode to horizontal for forward flight. Additional work which Unico does is allow the customer to test the battery range, so there is a clear understanding of how far the electric airplane can safely fly on one charge. Don shares the learnings from this and also discusses some of the projects the company is currently working on, as well as giving his thoughts on the differences and similarities between e-mobility, vehicle electrification and eVTOL aircraft.

In this episode, Dr Elgammal introduces us to The Coretec Group and where it fits into the emerging Advanced Air Mobility market. He tells us about the advantages of silicon anodes and why they are critical to eVTOL aircraft development, plus gives us an idea at what stage the industry is at when it comes to batteries for electric aircraft - especially with some companies targeting commercial operations as early as 2026. We talk about the various projects the Coretec Group is working on, and what can be done to minimise the environmental impact on eVTOL production. And finally, we discuss the efficient and lightweight energy storage solutions to improve efficiency, extend flight range and boost overall performance.

In this episode, Dan and Jeff introduce us to FPD and tell us more about the company and its role with the Advanced Air Mobility market. We discuss the need for reliable and qualified suppliers to the industry and the topic of weight when it comes to aircraft. The pair tell us more about the ongoing projects FPD is working on, and share their insights on what they're seeing in the industry at the moment.

In this episode, Sandra tells about the overarching vision of eVertiSKY, the background behind setting the company up and the particular reasons for embarking on this journey. We hear more about the company's current roadmap, the current projects it is working on, and also from Sandra on what state she thinks Urban Air Mobility is at. She talks about the factors cities should consider when looking to implement UAM, the existing challenges and limitations, and what role regulation will play in the industry's growth.